THIS MONTH IN THE KOREAN ADOPTEE COMMUNITY - July 2025
The 2025 KAAN Conference, held in Atlanta from June 20 to 22!
Home and Heritage: July Reflections for Korean Adoptees
By Jon Oaks
For many people in the United States, the Fourth of July is a day of celebration filled with parades, barbecues, fireworks, and national pride. But for Korean American adoptees, the holiday can land differently. It may bring moments of joy and nostalgia, but it can also surface questions about identity, belonging, and what it means to feel “American” when your relationship with this country has been shaped by loss, displacement, or ambiguity.
In addition to emotional triggers, the physical experience of fireworks can also be difficult for many in our community. Whether due to sensory sensitivity, trauma, or mental health challenges, it is okay to step away. If the celebration feels more like survival, you are not alone.
If the backdrop of red, white, and blue feels like a mismatch with an inner world filled with more complex hues, that is okay too. Holding both pride and pain, gratitude and grief, is something many of us know well.
If this season brings up complicated feelings, here are a few gentle reminders that have helped others in the community:
Make space for your own version of the holiday. You do not have to celebrate in the traditional way. You might go on a quiet walk, write in a journal, light a candle, or cook a favorite Korean dish. Let the day be yours.
Connect with community, even virtually. Whether it is a group chat with adoptee friends or attending an online event, hearing from someone who understands can lift the weight a little.
Honor both parts of your story. Your adoption does not cancel your right to reflect on freedom, identity, or home. It is valid if these things carry a different shape or sound for you.
Unplug if needed. Social media can heighten feelings of comparison or alienation during national holidays. It is okay to log off and center yourself in what feels authentic and grounding.
KAAN Conference Highlights
The 2025 KAAN Conference, held in Atlanta from June 20 to 22, brought together hundreds of adoptees, family members, and allies for a powerful weekend of healing, connection, and advocacy. This year’s theme, "Growth and Change," was reflected in sessions focused on reunion experiences, mental health, identity exploration, and intergenerational dialogue.
According to coverage in the Korea Daily, this was one of the largest gatherings in KAAN’s history, as the conference drew approximately 360 attendees, most from across North America. The Friday dinner, held at Thrill Korean Steak and Bar, drew over 220 participants, making it the most attended adoptee-only dinner in KAAN’s 27-year history.
The large and diverse turnout speaks to the growing need for spaces where adoptees can speak for themselves, support one another, and imagine future possibilities together.
Korean Adoptee Artist at the Ohio State Fair
Bree Davis’ work: Photo Credit to Bree Davis
We are proud to celebrate Korean adoptee Bree Davis, a gifted clay artist whose work has been accepted into the juried art show at the Ohio State Fair. Her piece was selected in the amateur category and will be on display during the exhibition from July 23 to August 3, in Columbus, Ohio.
If you are near the area or planning a summer road trip, consider stopping by to support her work. It is a powerful example of adoptee creativity and voice.
Mark Your Calendar: Also-Known-As 30th Anniversary
We also want to spotlight an important milestone coming up next spring. Also-Known-As, Inc. will celebrate its 30th anniversary from April 16 to 19, 2026, in New York City.
What began in 1996 as a small group of adoptees seeking connection has grown into a global network with more than 200 paying members representing 23 countries. Through mentorship, education, storytelling, and cultural exchange, Also-Known-As has become a lifeline for many and a driving force in making adoptee stories visible.
This celebration is not only a look back. It is a recognition of how far the community has come and a call to keep building spaces where adoptees are seen, heard, and valued.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you are spending July traveling, working, or simply taking time to breathe, we hope this month offers a moment to reflect on what “home” means to you. Being part of a transnational, transracial adoptee community means carrying multiple stories, and it is okay for them to feel both joyful and complicated.
